How to Sync & Play Apple Music on iPod Touch, Shuffle, Nano, or Classic

Step 1: Check if Your iPod Is Compatible with Apple Music

Not all iPods are created equal. Only the iPod Touch (5th generation or newer) actually supports Apple Music streaming. These models can run the Apple Music app, stream songs, and download them for offline listening with an active subscription. Older iPods, including the Classic, Nano, and Shuffle, were never built for streaming at all.

Checking your model first saves time and frustration. It tells you right away whether Apple Music will work as intended, or whether you'll need to take a different route, such as converting Apple Music tracks to MP3.

Here's a Breakdown:

Compatible iPods (support Apple Music app with streaming and downloads):

Not Compatible (no Apple Music app or streaming support):

Step 2: Install and Use Apple Music on iPod Touch (Official Method)

If you're using a compatible iPod Touch, this part is simple. The only real requirement is iOS 8.4 or later. Newer models support newer iOS versions, which generally means better performance and fewer headaches. For instance, the 7th-generation iPod Touch supports up to iOS 15 and delivers solid battery life for music playback.

There's nothing special to install. Just sign in with your Apple ID, subscribe to Apple Music if you haven't already, and you can start streaming or downloading songs for offline listening. This is Apple's official setup, so everything works as expected without worrying about DRM, file formats, or syncing tricks.

Set Up Apple Music on iPod Touch

Step 1 Check your iPod model and iOS version. Go to Settings > General > About and confirm you're using an iPod Touch (5th gen or newer) with iOS 10 or later.

Step 2 Sign in with your Apple ID. Go to Settings > Sign in to your iPod Touch and enter your Apple ID. If you don't have one yet, you can create it during setup.

Step 3 Subscribe to Apple Music. Open Settings > Music or the Music app, tap Join Apple Music, and choose a plan (Individual, Family, or Student).

Step 4 Open the Music app. Apple Music is built into the Music app. Once signed in and subscribed, you'll have access to the full Apple Music catalog.

Step 5 Connect to Wi-Fi. Streaming and downloading work best on a stable Wi-Fi connection. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi if needed.

Step 3: Convert Apple Music Songs to MP3 for iPod Touch, Nano, Shuffle, or Classic (Unofficial Workaround)

If you're using an iPod Nano, Shuffle, or Classic, streaming Apple Music online isn't an option. Apple's original idea was that you'd buy songs from the iTunes Store and sync them over, and while that still works, it adds up fast. Most tracks cost between $0.99 and $1.29 each. On top of that, Apple Music subscription tracks are locked with DRM, which means these iPods can't play them directly.

A practical workaround is converting Apple Music. By converting Apple Music to a supported format like MP3, you turn streaming-only tracks into standard audio files that any iPod can handle. Music you already own or bought from iTunes syncs normally, but Apple Music tracks need to go through this extra step first.

Tool Required: ViWizard Apple Music Converter

ViWizard Apple Music Converter is made for exactly this situation. It lets subscribers convert songs, albums, playlists, or even their entire library into MP3 or other iPod-friendly formats. During conversion, DRM is removed while audio quality and full metadata are preserved. Once converted, the files sync through iTunes or Finder just like any other music. The result is simple: Apple Music tracks that play on devices never designed for streaming, without needing an active subscription or internet connection.

Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter

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• Convert Apple Music songs, albums, playlists, and artists into MP3 for easy access
• Preserve lossless audio, high-resolution lossless, and Dolby Atmos quality
• Strip DRM from Apple Music for unrestricted offline listening
• Save converted audio files while retaining full ID3 tag details

Step 1Set Up ViWizard Apple Music Converter on Your Computer

Download and install ViWizard Apple Music Converter on your Windows PC or Mac. Launch the program and sign in with the same Apple ID you use for Apple Music. This lets the software access your full library, including playlists, albums, and individual tracks, so you can prepare them for use on any iPod model.

Step 2Choose an Output Format That Works on Any iPod

Go to the settings panel and select MP3 as your output format. MP3 is widely compatible with all iPod models and iTunes, making future transfers simple. You can also adjust quality settings, such as bitrate or sample rate, to control file size and sound quality.

Step 3Add Music to the Conversion List

Browse your Apple Music library directly within ViWizard and select the songs, albums, or playlists you want to convert. Add them to the conversion queue—this creates clean, DRM-free copies of your tracks. Once ready, start the conversion to generate standard audio files.

Step 4Locate and Transfer the Converted Files to Your iPod

After the conversion finishes, open the output folder to find your new audio files. Use iTunes or the Music app on Mac to sync these files to your iPod Touch, Nano, Shuffle, or Classic. Once synced, the tracks will be available for offline playback, letting you play Apple Music on your iPod without needing an active subscription or internet connection.

Step 4: Sync Apple Music Tracks to Your iPod

Once your songs are converted, syncing works the same way it always has. Use iTunes or the Music app on Mac to copy the files to your iPod. This stores the music locally for offline listening and lets you manage playlists while keeping an eye on storage limits.

Method 1: Sync via iTunes or Finder (All Models)

Step 1 Connect your iPod to your computer using a USB cable.

Step 2 Open iTunes (Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina or later).

Step 3 Select your iPod when it appears.

Step 4 Add converted MP3 files to your iTunes library, or drag them directly to the device.

Step 5 Under the Music tab, choose specific songs, artists, or playlists, or enable manual management.

Step 6 Click Apply or Sync to transfer the music.

Method 2: Sync Over Wi-Fi (iPod Touch Only)

Step 1 Connect the iPod Touch to your computer with a USB cable (first time only).

Step 2 Open iTunes or Finder and select your device.

Step 3 In the Summary section, enable Sync with this iPod over Wi-Fi.

Step 4 Click Apply. Going forward, syncing happens automatically when both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Method 3: Sync Using Apple Music (iPod Touch Only)

Step 1 Add the MP3 files to your music library on your computer.

Step 2 Sign in with your Apple ID and enable iCloud Music Library.

Step 3 Open the Music app on your iPod Touch. Your MP3s will appear automatically and can be streamed or downloaded for offline playback.

Step 5: Play Apple Music on Your iPod

At this point, you're ready to listen. On an iPod Touch, you can stream, browse playlists, and play downloads offline. On older iPods, playback is limited to synced tracks, but the experience is still straightforward and reliable. Many people still prefer these devices for workouts or daily routines because they're lightweight, durable, and don't rely on an internet connection.

Stream Apple Music Online on iPod Touch (Music App)

If you have an Apple Music subscription, you can stream millions of songs directly on your iPod Touch:

Step 1 Open the Music app. A stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection is required. Older iPod Touch models must be running iOS 8.4 or later.

Step 2 Sign in with the Apple ID linked to your Apple Music subscription.

Step 3 Let your library sync via iCloud. Your playlists, albums, and saved music appear automatically. Playlist management isn't very intuitive - "Loved" songs aren't shown in one clear list, so consider organizing them into playlists in advance.

Step 4 Browse or search for music.

Step 5 Tap a song or playlist to start streaming.

Play Apple Music Offline on iPod Touch (Music App)

For Apple Music

Step 1 Open the Music app and sign in.

Step 2 Find the songs, albums, or playlists you want.

Step 3 Tap Add (+) to save them to your library.

Step 4 Tap the download icon (cloud with arrow) to store them locally. Downloads take up storage space, so check available space under Settings > General > iPod Storage.

For iTunes Purchases

Step 1 Open the iTunes Store app.

Step 2 Tap More > Purchased.

Step 3 Browse under Music or search for the item.

Step 4 Tap the cloud icon to download it. Purchased tracks appear in the Music app for offline playback.

Play Apple Music Offline on iPod Nano, Shuffle, or Classic (Music App)

Step 1 Disconnect your iPod from the computer after syncing is complete.

Step 2 Turn on the iPod and open the Music menu.

Step 3 Browse by Artists, Albums, Songs, or Playlists, depending on how you synced the files.

Step 4 Select a song or playlist and press Play.

Step 6: Set Up Family Sharing for Apple Music on iPod Touch

If you're using an iPod Touch, Family Sharing is worth setting up. An Apple Music family subscription can be shared with up to five other people, and everyone gets their own library, recommendations, and listening history. Once Family Sharing is enabled, each member simply opens the Music app on their own device and signs in with their Apple ID to access the shared subscription.

Set Up Family Sharing

Step 1 Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing.

Step 2 Tap Set Up Your Family, then follow the on-screen prompts.

Step 3 Send invitations to the family members you want to add. Once they accept, each member gets full access to Apple Music on their own iPod Touch (or other Apple devices), with separate listening histories, libraries, and recommendations. If needed, you can help them create an Apple ID during setup.

Bonus Tip: FAQs about Using Apple Music on iPods

Conclusion

Although those old models of iPod are not compatible with Apple Music, you can use ViWizard Audio Converter to convert Apple Music to iPod for playing anytime. If you have an iPod touch, you can directly log into Apple Music on your iPod and listen to your favorite songs. Just follow the above instructions and start to transfer Apple Music to iPod for listening.